powder your nose

powder (one's) nose

euphemism To go to the bathroom. The phrase is a polite expression used to excuse oneself when going to the bathroom. Typically used by women. I'll join you at the table in a minute, I just need to powder my nose.See also: nose, powder

powder your nose

(of a woman) go to the lavatory. This is an early 20th-century euphemism, which is now rather dated. The term powder room has been used since the 1940s to refer to a ladies' toilet in a hotel, restaurant, or similar public building. 1972 L. P. Davies What Did I Do Tomorrow? I'll use your bathroom. To powder my nose, as nice girls say. See also: nose, powder

(go to) powder your ˈnose

(old-fashioned or humorous) a polite way of referring to the fact that a woman is going to the toilet: I’m just going to powder my nose and I’ll be with you in a minute.See also: nose, powder